Murgitroyd Group PLC ( Murgitroyd or the Group ) Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 May 2003

Transcription

1 5 August 2003 Murgitroyd Group PLC ( Murgitroyd or the Group ) Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 May 2003 Highlights Turnover increased by 17% to 10.56m (2002: 9.05m) Profit before tax and exceptional items up by 25% to 792,000 Profit before tax up by 11% to 704,000 Adjusted basic earnings per share up by 50% to 6.20p (2002: 4.13p). Dividend up by 18% to 1.570p per share (2002: 1.329p) Gross margin increased to 67.8% (2002: 65.2%) Significant new account wins French acquisition successfully completed Ian Murgitroyd, Chairman, commented: "I am delighted to report another solid performance by the Group with an increase in turnover of 17%. The Group's pan-european expansion plans continue to progress well and we have successfully completed the acquisition of Cabinet Bonneau EURL near Nice, which added several significant clients to our portfolio and results in the Group operating the largest French practice between Monaco and Marseille. Despite slow economic activity, I believe we are in a strong position to move the business forward and achieve the objectives we set ourselves. For further information, please contact: Keith Young, Murgitroyd Group PLC, Alasdair Robinson, Noble & Company, Nadja Vetter / Richard Fallowfield, CardewChancery, Notes: Murgitroyd Group PLC, the holding company of Murgitroyd & Company Limited ("Murgitroyd & Company"), a European Patent and Trade Mark Attorney practice, was floated on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange ( AIM ) on 30 November The Company is based in Glasgow with further offices in Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, London, Munich and Nice. Murgitroyd Group PLC specialises in the provision of Intellectual Property services, including filing, prosecuting, litigating, licensing, assigning and renewing Patents, Trade Marks and Designs and advising on Copyright. Services span the major sectors of the global economy including technology, engineering, electronics, chemistry and biotechnology. Clients range from large multi-national corporations to individual inventors and both in-house and external Patent Attorneys.

2 Murgitroyd Group PLC Chairman s Statement Introduction I am pleased to report a continuing strong performance by the Group in the financial year to 31 May 2003, Murgitroyd s first full year as a quoted company. Despite slow economic activity, the Group has made significant progress and has remained highly profitable. Financial review For the year ended 31 May 2003, the turnover of the Group s trading subsidiary, Murgitroyd & Company, increased by 17% to 10.56m (2002: 9.05m). Its profit before tax was up by 11% to 704,000 (2002: 634,000) and its gross margin increased to 67.8% (2002: 65.2%). The Group's basic earnings per share were 1.96p (2002: 2.00p) but adjusted basic earnings per share stood at 6.20p (2002: 4.13p) after adding back goodwill amortisation. The Group's turnover for the second half of the financial year to 31 May 2003 rose by 10.5% year on year to 5.43m (six months to 31 May 2002: 4.92m), which exceeded expectations. As we announced in January this year, the Board undertook a detailed cost review in anticipation of more difficult trading conditions. A number of prudent decisions were made and implemented in the face of global economic uncertainties. These addressed the level of overheads and, among the consequent measures implemented, Directors salaries were temporarily cut and bonus entitlements waived. The benefits of this review became apparent in the second half of the financial year as the pre-tax profit of Murgitroyd & Company increased to 9.6% of turnover from the 3.6% earned in the first half. As previously announced the Group has had to provide against 88,000 owed by one of its longstanding clients, Artlite Limited, which unexpectedly went into receivership in February The Official Receiver's formal review of the circumstances of the receivership is ongoing. During the period under review the Group has, for the first time, made a general bad debt provision. Total bad debts either written off or provided against in the year amounted to 241,000 (2002: 38,000). Nevertheless Murgitroyd & Company s bad debt history over the medium term remains good at less than 1% of sales. Dividend In accordance with the stated policy at the time of our AIM flotation, the Directors are proposing a dividend of 1.570p per share (2002: 1.329p). Subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting the dividend will be paid on 15 September 2003 to shareholders on the register on 15 August Business review The Group has continued to increase turnover and gained a significant number of clients during the period under review, despite what has been generally viewed as an uncertain time in the global Intellectual Property market. New clients require significant levels of investment by the Group during the initial stages. We retained our existing extensive portfolio of clients, which continue to provide us with a steady income. At the time of our AIM flotation we stated that our growth strategy was based on the development of the truly pan-european service to which we remain committed. During the period we have made further progress in implementing this strategy. We have recently completed the acquisition of Cabinet Bonneau EURL which has entailed relocating our Nice office to nearby Sophia Antipolis, the recruitment of four qualified and part-qualified Attorneys and the addition of several significant clients previously serviced by Cabinet Bonneau.

3 We are also in the process of expanding our operations in our other European offices and expect to staff our Munich office in the course of the coming financial year. We will consider strategic acquisitions and continue to believe that a number of acquisition opportunities will arise as professionals retire and exit practices. People We have always stressed that the ability to recruit, retain and incentivise quality Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys is central to the success of the Group. As at 31 May 2003 we employed 20 qualified Attorneys (2002: 17). This number has since risen to 22. The average age profile of these Attorneys is still believed to be significantly below the industry average. We continue to recruit trainee Attorneys and develop our staff-training programmes. In addition we have in place recruitment and development policies for support staff. The total number of staff at 31 May 2003 was 129 (2002: 127). On 1 July 2003 Paolo Pacitti resigned as an Executive Director to embark on a sabbatical year. Paolo was a longstanding Partner of Murgitroyd & Company and has been of enormous support to me personally. On behalf of all the staff at Murgitroyd, we wish him well. Operational Issues The refurbishment of the Glasgow headquarters at Scotland House has been completed on schedule. We have relocated all staff to these premises and terminated the lease on Murgitroyd & Company's previous Head Office at no cost. Share Price During the year to 31 May 2003, the middle market price of our shares varied from 108.5p to 150p. The current middle market price is 123.5p. This compares with our flotation price of 121p. Outlook Despite difficult market conditions we have made significant progress in achieving the objectives we set at the time of our AIM flotation. We believe the Group has built a solid platform with which to continue to meet these aims even if uncertain market conditions prevail. We look forward to the forthcoming year with confidence. Ian G. Murgitroyd Chairman 4 August 2003

4 Pro forma Profit and Loss Account of Murgitroyd & Company Limited (2002: the Murgitroyd & Company Limited sub-group) for the years ended 31 May 2003 and 31 May 2002 Before exceptional admin. Expenses Exceptional admin. expenses 2003 Year ending 31 May 2003 Before exceptional admin. expenses Exceptional admin. expenses 2002 Year ending 31 May 2002 Turnover 10,561-10,561 9,054-9,054 Cost of sales (3,403) - (3,403) (3,150) - (3,150) Gross profit 7,158-7,158 5,904-5,904 Administrative expenses - standard (6,312) - (6,312) (5,192) - (5,192) - exceptional* - (88) (88) Operating profit 846 (88) Interest receivable and similar income Interest payable and similar charges (64) - (64) (97) - (97) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 792 (88) * bad debt provision

5 Consolidated Profit and Loss Account for the year ended 31 May 2003 (2002: ten month period ended 31 May 2002) Before goodwill amortisation Goodwill amortisation 2003 Year ending 31 May 2003 Before goodwill amortisation Goodwill amortisation 2002 Period ending 31 May 2002 Turnover 10,561-10,561 4,917-4,917 Cost of sales (3,403) - (3,403) (1,674) - (1,674) Gross profit 7,158-7,158 3,243-3,243 Administrative expenses - standard (6,313) (351) (6,664) (2,794) (175) (2,969) - exceptional* (88) - (88) Operating profit 757 (351) (175) 274 Interest receivable and similar income Interest payable and similar charges (64) - (64) (24) - (24) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 703 (351) (175) 255 Tax on profit on ordinary activities (189) - (189) (89) - (89) Profit on ordinary activities after taxation and for the financial year/(period) 514 (351) (175) 166 Dividends - equity (130) - (130) (110) - (110) Retained profit for the year/(period) 384 (351) (175) 56 Earnings per 10p ordinary share Basic p p Diluted p p Adjusted, basic before goodwill amortisation 6.20p p - Adjusted, diluted before goodwill amortisation 6.20p p - * bad debt provision

6 Balance sheets at 31 May 2003 and 31 May 2002 Murgitroyd Group PLC 2003 Murgitroyd & Company Murgitroyd Group PLC 2002 Murgitroyd & Company Fixed assets Tangible assets 1,988-1,876 - Investments 9 8,056-8,056 Intangible assets 6,501-6,852-8,498 8,056 8,728 8,056 Current assets Work in progress Debtors 4,603 1,635 3,688 1,633 Cash at bank and in hand 106-1,147 1,012 4,939 1,635 5,076 2,645 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (3,546) (130) (3,909) (1,137) Net current assets 1,393 1,505 1,167 1,508 Total assets less current liabilities 9,891 9,561 9,895 9,564 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (224) - (272) - Provisions for liabilities and charges (10) - (8) - Net assets 9,657 9,561 9,615 9,564 Capital and reserves Called up share capital Share premium account 8,694 8,694 8,695 8,695 Revaluation reserve Profit and loss account Shareholders funds all equity 9,657 9,561 9,615 9,564

7 Consolidated Cash Flow statement for the year ended 31 May 2003 (2002: ten month period ended 31 May 2002) Year ending 31 May 2003 Period ending 31 May 2002 Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities 276 (2,034) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 7 3 Bank interest paid (58) (34) Interest element of hire purchase repayments (3) (1) Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (54) (32) Taxation (179) (160) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (246) (163) Proceeds from sale of tangible fixed assets - - Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment (246) (163) Acquisitions Purchase of subsidiary (9) - Cash at hand and in bank acquired with subsidiary undertaking Net cash (outflow)/inflow from acquisitions (9) 826 Equity dividends paid (110) - Cash outflow before financing (322) (1,563) Financing Issue of ordinary share capital for cash - 3,000 Expenses of share issues (1) (493) Decrease in bank loans due outwith one year (55) (25) Repayment of capital element of hire purchase obligations (26) (15) Repayment of Loan Notes (1,012) - Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing (1,094) 2,467 (Decrease)/increase in cash in the year/period (1,416) 904

8 NOTES: Accounting Policies The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards and under the historical cost accounting rules, modified to include the revaluation of buildings. Basis of Preparation The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 240 of the Companies Act The balance sheet, pro forma profit and loss account, consolidated profit and loss account and consolidated cash flow statement at 31 May 2003 for Murgitroyd Group PLC have been extracted from the statutory accounts upon which the auditor s opinion was unqualified and does not contain a statement under section 237(2) of the Companies Act The statutory accounts for the period ended 31 May 2003 will be filed with the Registrar of Companies. Earnings Per Share Earnings per 10p ordinary share is calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential shares. Earnings Weighted average number of shares Number 2003 Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share 163 8,277, Dilutive share options - 8,579 (0.00) Diluted earnings per share 163 8,286, Amortisation of goodwill 351 8,286, Adjusted, diluted earnings per share 514 8,286, Adjusted, basic earnings per share 514 8,277, Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting will be held at Murgitroyd Group PLC, Scotland House, Scotland Street, Glasgow, G5 8PL at 11.30am on 2 September Further Copies Copies of this announcement and the full annual report and accounts are available, free of charge, for a period of one month from the Company s Nominated Adviser and Broker Noble & Company Limited, 1 Frederick Street, London, EC2R 8AB, Tel: Copies of the full financial statements will be posted to shareholders as soon as possible.